I'm finally able to spend some long overdue time here. There is a welcome pause in celebration - Christmas and birthdays - and I find myself reflecting with a grateful heart for Him...them. It was a long, full stretch of merriment. I'm craving a little quiet on cue. It's snowing. All the twinkle lights are shining bright and we're holed up in the cozy family room with cats in laps...Hazel in mine and Gus on Lily's. Our lofty goal this break, or one of them, is to watch all eleven seasons of Walking Dead. We're already in season three. I'm pretty sure we'll make it through whilst Lils is home.
I love this week between Christmas and New Year's. It's the right mix of celebration and contemplation, saying goodbye to what was - the good and the bad- and looking forward to what comes next, God willing more of the former than later. That is my intention as much as it's within my power. Much is. More than we think.
Casa Wags was Christmas central this year. We hosted the 24th, 25th and then the 27th, and were happy to do so. We aren't hosting tomorrow. We definitely reached our limit, but it was our pleasure and I'm almost sure we'll do it again next year. The key for me is making a reasonable plan and sticking to it. Accepting help too. And then just letting come what may because while we want to cook the tenderloin to perfection, the candles lit, the just right gifts under the tree, we know what truly defines the holiday is the strength of spirit and togetherness.
We kicked off the week of jubilee Tuesday at the theater. Mike mentioned and mentioned he wanted to see Joseph. One would have been enough for me to get tickets because theater is one of my happy places. We went with my mil and Lils to the matinee at the beautiful Skylight Theater. We're all still singing the soundtrack. It was such a joyful, vibrant production that it lifted me up before the holiday onslaught. The worthy end to the afternoon date was a bottle of champs and Candace.
We spent the next day wrapping each and every gift, which was a challenge and a good guffaw with four curious cats. Lily ran to the store twice. I made twice baked taters and panna cotta, and set the table. Lils picked up Ted and Meryl home from Cali in time for dinner Christmas Eve. There were the usual suspects: boozy Tom & Jerry's, trash talking games of crib, perfectly pink tenderloin and festive crackers at each place setting, colorful crowns, teary toasts and a late-night game. I cleaned the kitchen so I could wake up ready for round two.
Christmas Day was a family affair. Ashley made a piping hot and delicious pot of winter minestrone, my dad bought a platter of snappy shrimp, my mom made a salad with seasonal pairs and bleu cheese, Lily made hummus, Mike baked a ham, I made sammies from the leftover steak, and Trader Joe filled in the gaps. I'm getting over my need for homemades. TJ's frozen aps are such great options...especially the bacon wrapped scallops, mushroom tartlettes that taste just like my Grandma's and always the pastry pups. That left time for being present which is very much the point. We did a favorite things gift exchange. It was well received. Everyone left happy and in fact, my Dad stole back his own gift. I would've been happy with any one of them. A competitive game of Imposter was our night cap and I can tell this is going to be our new Wizard-level obsession. Oh, and I sort of am really good at this game.
We had a full house Saturday for Wags' Christmas and it was Ted's birthday too. His 25th! Heidi's 24th and Karlee's 32nd this week so we celebrated our winter babes along with Jesus and Santa. I could not have done 3 in 4 days with a smile on my face without the Qdoba hot bar that comes with everything you need for every one. Oh and C Adams for a birthday cake and pie. It was a great end to the holiday season and such a gift to have everyone together.
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